HOW TO STOP HAIR LOSS (IN MEN): WHAT ARE YOUR OPTIONS?

Hair loss seems to be more common than ever. Over 65% of men will suffer from some form of baldness by the age of 40, and 80% will suffer the same fate by the age of 50. Hair loss affects so many men around the world, and yet, cruelly, we still don't have a cure for it. 

However, now isn't the time to panic, because although there isn't a cure for baldness, the good news is, there are perfectly viable treatments on the market that can help slow down hair shedding, and even stop it. It's just a case of finding which ones work for your individual case. 

So, in this article, we'll go through some of the more viable options for hair loss sufferers. There has never been a more optimistic time to suffer from hair loss, so be sure to take advantage of the options available to you... 

Medically Approved Treatments for Baldness

There are just two medically approved (FDA approved) hair loss treatments on the market today. Finasteride (also known as Propecia) is a prescription only pill for men. It can reduce DHT and help stop further hair loss in men who suffer from early stages of baldness and thinning hair. 

Although results can be good, the risk of negative side-effects is high. Some common side-effects associated with Finasteride include: low libido, erectile dysfunction, and long-term impotence. Some users have even complained of having low energy, and mental health issues. 

The second medically approved treatment is Minoxidil (also labelled under a host of brands, most commonly known as Regaine/Rogaine). Minoxidil is the only topical treatment that is FDA approved. It can be purchased as a foam or a liquid, it depends on your personal preference. 

Minoxidil can help slow down the hair loss process, and in some cases, regrow hair - but only on a minimal scale. There are also some side-effects that can come with Minoxidil, such as headaches, dizziness, skin rash, and in extreme cases, weight gain.  You should speak to your physician before committing to either of these treatments. 

Multi-Vitamin Hair Growth Supplements

Multi-vitamin hair supplements are fast becoming the most popular treatment for hair loss among men (and women). The main reasons so many people are turning to multi-vitamin supplements is because they offer a safe and natural alternative to the harsh prescription drugs, and some of them can actually produce very good results. 

The market leaders are Viviscal and HR23+. Both contain a rich list of hair beneficiary ingredients that can help slow down shedding, and help increase the rate and speed of healthy hair growth. Multi-vitamin supplements are safe, and they also offer you good nutritional values, which means you're putting good ingredients into your body, while never compromising on your health. 

Related article: Top 10 Hair Growth Supplements 

Hair Transplantation

Hair transplants are becoming increasingly popular due to the fact they're more accessible than ever, and they're also more affordable. If you are suffering from more advanced stages of baldness, then hair surgery could well be for you. 

There are a range of options, from a simple hairline fill, to a more advanced procedure that would require more coverage. It really does depend on your unique situation. Hair transplants are becoming more affordable, with prices starting at £2,000 in the UK, and as low as £1,000 in Turkey. 

If you are considering a hair transplant, then be sure to look around, talk to surgeons, and make sure you see customer reviews testimonials, and case studies. It is important that you can trust the clinic, and rely on them to do a good job. 

Related article: Hair Transplants: Are They Worth It?

Scalp Micropigmentation

If you've given up on having hair, but would still like to have the perfect hairline, then scalp micropigmentation could well be for you. What is micropigmentation? Well, to put it simply, it is a tattoo. Yes, that's right, qualified clinics offer men the option to tattoo a hairline onto the scalp, creating the illusion of a full hairline/head of hair. 

If a shaved head or a shorter cropped hairstyle is your thing, then this procedure could well be the best option for you. The detail of the 'tattoo' is exceptional, making it look like you've got a great head of hair, but have chosen to keep it short. 

Related article: Skalp Micropigmentation Review 

Biotin and Saw Palmetto

Supplements like Biotin (Vitamin B7) and Saw Palmetto Extract, will do little to treat hair loss on their own, but when combined together with a host of hair beneficiary ingredients, they can work wonders with your hair. 

Biotin has been found to strengthen hair, and help it grow faster, whereas Saw Palmetto has been found to block the formation of DHT, thus  

As mentioned above, multi-vitamin supplements like HR23+ contain Biotin and Saw Palmetto, along with a host of other ingredients that work together to help slow down hair loss and promote stronger, thicker hair growth. 

Related article: HR23+ Hair Health Supplement Review 

Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy (PRP) 

PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy is a three-step medical treatment for hair loss. It is a process in which a person’s blood is drawn, processed, and then injected into the scalp.

Parts of the medical community think that PRP injections trigger natural hair growth and maintain it by increasing blood supply to the hair follicle and increasing the thickness of the hair shaft. This procedure can be done alongside other treatments.

Research to prove if PRP is an effective hair loss treatment is still sparse, but results have been promising, so far. PRP therapy has been in use since the 1980s. It’s been used for healing ligaments and muscles injuries.

Related article: PRP Treatment for Hair Loss: Is It Effective? 

Micro-Needling Therapy

Micro-needling is also nicknamed skin needling, because of its effects on increasing collagen production in the skin. It's thought that this can result in new hair growth, or perhaps, it may thicken thinning hair as seen in androgenic alopecia or male pattern baldness.

Clinical research on using the micro-needling method for hair loss has shown that a derma roller is effective in helping to repair hair loss, both with and without Minoxidil. Results showed that men, in particular, who used the derma roller with Minoxidil had significantly more hair growth than the men who used minoxidil on its own.

More studies are needed to back the claim, but with derma rollers costing under £10, it could be worth a try at the very least. To start, try a 0.5mm derma roller, and micro-needle the thinning areas on your scalp, no more than twice a week. 

Related article: Can Derma Rolling Promote Hair Growth?

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BEATING HAIR LOSS: WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS?

Hair loss happens to be one of the most devastating things a man (and woman) can go through. Hair loss usually occurs in men by the time they reach their 30s, but some men experience baldness as early as their 20s. With over 60% of men set to suffer from thinning hair by the time they reach 40, it's no wonder many of us are seeking solutions for our hair.

What can you realistically expect when it comes to battling hair loss? Well, with no miracle cure on the market, there are still ways in which you can slow down balding and promote healthy hair growth. From using treatments and living by certain disciplines, many men have discovered how easy it can be to halt male pattern baldness and maintain healthy, thick hair growth.

So, what are the options when it comes to beating hair loss? Here, we take a look at some of the most common and successful practices, as well as a few cheeky tips that'll stand you a better chance of preventing balding and thinning hair.

Hair Transplantation

Hair transplantation is a surgical technique that moves individual hair follicles from a part of the body called the 'donor site' to bald or balding part of the body known as the 'recipient site'. It is primarily used to treat male pattern baldness. In this minimally invasive procedure, grafts containing hair follicles that are genetically resistant to balding are transplanted to the bald scalp.

If you are suffering from advanced stages of balding (Norwood 4+) then a hair transplant would provide a good option for you. The success rate for hair transplantations is good, but it does come with a hefty price tag. Expect to pay in the region of £8000 for a single session, with additional fees and treatments ongoing from there. Realistically, you'll be forking out anything between £20k-£30k for a successful procedure from start to finish.

Price: Anything between £8,000 - £30,000

Finasteride (Propecia)

Finasteride (AKA Propecia) is a drug for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and male pattern baldness. It is a type II 5α-reductase inhibitor; 5α-reductase, an enzyme, converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

Propecia is available as a prescription drug, and results have been positive in regards to stopping hair loss in men. However, this little pill does have a tendency to aggravate some nasty side-effects that have affected so many men, even after stopping the treatment. Common side-effects from taking Propecia include low libido, erectile dysfunction, skin rash and hormonal imbalance. If you are considering using Propecia, then just be aware of what could potentially come with it.

Price: from £30 per month

Topical Solutions

If you're looking to avoid the nasty side-effects that come with Propecia and the pricey procedure of a hair transplant, then you could consider a topical solution for your hair.

Topical solutions have had a steady success rate within the hair loss market, with the FDA approved solution, Minoxidil (AKA Regaine), the most popular formula. Topical treatments come in various forms such as serums, shampoos, foams and sprays, and can provide hair follicles with the essential additives needed for prevention of balding and the promotion of healthier hair growth.


Please see our article, 7 Topical Solutions For Treating Hair Loss, for more information on this treatment form.

Price: From £30 per month

Natural Supplements

Naturally formulated hair health supplements offer you the chance to treat hair loss without the worry of the nasty side-effects you would associate with Propecia. Some remain sceptical about tablets being able to treat hair loss, but the fact of the matter is, they can.

Through scientific studies, supplements can provide hair follicles with essential elements that pave the way for balding prevention and hair growth promotion. Natural supplements are far more popular than anything else in the hair treatment market due to their success rates and affordability. If you're on the hunt for an effective hair supplement then look out for key ingredients biotin (the growth agent), saw palmetto (the DHT blocker) and other key hair growth beneficiaries like green tea and grape seed extract.

Price: From £40 per month

Hair Laser Brush/Comb

Laser combs are handheld, low-intensity laser devices that allegedly stimulate the growth of the hair follicle. The HairMax LaserComb and the X-5 are the only two laser combs that are FDA approved. Although many doctors are sceptical about these devices, there are also a lot of people who claim they are effective and have helped them grow hair.

Price: From £200

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